society
Kogi: My lawyer’s name is ‘my lawyer’, witness tells Tribunal, says ‘I spoke to him in vernacular
Kogi: My lawyer’s name is ‘my lawyer’, witness tells Tribunal, says ‘I spoke to him in vernacular’
. I forgot to say I was SDP agent in my deposition – Witness
. Sitting adjourned to April 4 for continuation of hearing
Hearing continued at the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday with four witnesses testifying for the petitioners, the Social Democratic Party.
The witnesses’ accounts, like in previous sittings, followed virtually the same patterns even when they voted in different polling units.
Visible contradictions were also discovered during cross-examination, which, in most cases, could not be explained by the witnesses concerned.
While one of the four witnesses, Danlamin Abaji Yakubu, from Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, claimed that he was an agent of the SDP during the election, others said they were not agents.
Yakubu, who said he was a member of the SDP, a voter and the Party’s agent during the election, however, noted, under cross-examination, that he had lost everything that could prove that he was an agent.
When asked if he stated in his deposition that he was an agent in the election, he told the Tribunal that he forgot to say so.
He also admitted that he did not write his deposition but explained to his lawyer, who he said wrote it for him.
When his attention was also brought to the fact that in Paragraph 4 of his deposition, he did not indicate the total number of accredited voters, he said it was a mistake by the typist.
The Respondents’ counsel asked him to state the number he meant to write if it was a mistake. But he said, “I don’t know the number.”
In his deposition, he indicated that the number of registered voters in his polling unit was 771, but when he was asked to confirm the number, he said, “I did not indicate that I voted in my deposition.”
This was amusing because his answer did not tally with the question he was asked.
Another witness, Abdulkareem Muhammed Ogeja, also from Ajaokuta, created room for a mild drama under cross-examination.
He said though he was a member of the SDP, he did not state in his deposition that he was a member of the party.
But he confirmed that he was not the party’s agent during the election and that the SDP had an agent at his polling unit.
The Respondent’s counsel asked, “Are you surprised that the SDP agent did not complain and you were the only one that complained? He said, “I’m not surprised.”
The interesting part of his appearance was when he was asked if he wrote the deposition by himself and he said his lawyer did after he explained what happened to him.
When he was told to mention the name of his lawyer, the witness said, “His name is my lawyer.”
The Respondents’ lawyer then asked him, “Which language did you use to communicate with your lawyer?” Ogeja said he communicated with his lawyer “in vernacular”.
Investigations, however, revealed that there was no illiterate jurat in his deposition as required.
He also noted that he did not know the number of registered voters in his polling unit and that he did not also receive any paper indicating the number on the day of election, whereas he was said to have quoted the figures in his deposition.
On his part, Emmanuel Ohiare, from Okehi Local Government Area, said he was not a member of the SDP neither was he an agent but noted that the party had an agent at his polling unit.
It was therefore an issue of concern that the SDP agent did not complain of irregularities but a random voter.
He also admitted, under cross-examination, that the election went on smoothly and proper procedures were followed, noting that voters were validly accredited. But he maintained that there was over-voting even though it was observed that he could not substantiate this during cross-examination.
He told the Tribunal that his lawyer prepared the deposition for him but did not know the name of his lawyer.
The judge observed that the witness, Ohiare, was being evasive during cross-examination.
Abdullahi Musa, from Ajaokuta Local Government Area, said he was not at his polling unit as the agent and did not know whether the SDP had an agent.
He told the Tribunal that proper procedures were not followed, but during cross-examination, he was confronted with Paragraph 5 of his deposition, where he had said that the procedures were properly followed.
He indicated there that there was voters’ accreditation and that he was fully accredited.
Another interesting twist to his claims was that he had made reference to a particular Form EC40H(1)PWD in his deposition. But when asked, during cross-examination if he knew the said form, he said no.
When the witness’ attention was drawn to Paragraph 5(F) of his deposition, which contained the Form EC40(1)PWD, and the fact that his response meant that the statement in that paragraph was not correct, he said, “I know.”
Sitting was subsequently adjourned to April 4, 2024 for continuation of hearing.
Four witnesses had testified on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and they all confirmed that they were voters and not party agents.
One of the witnesses, Abdulsalam Adamson, from Okehi Local Government, had said no one threatened him not to testify in court, contrary to claims that the SDP witnesses were being threatened.
Others that testified on Tuesday were Salawudeen Abdulraheem, Adavi Local Government;
Abdulazeez Abdulkareem, Okehi Local Government; and Raji Usman, also from Okehi.
The lead counsel for the petitioners at the hearing on Wednesday was Pius Akubo, SAN.
Kanu Agabi SAN represented the Independent National Electoral Commission,
A.M. Aliu SAN, appeared for Governor Usman Ododo, while
E.C. Ukala SAN, represented the All Progressives Congress.
On Tuesday, Alex Iziyon SAN appeared for Governor Ododo.
The SDP is challenging the victory of Gov. Ododo of the APC in the November 2023 Governorship election in the state.
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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